The market for dental implants and prostheses in France

The dental implant and prosthesis market encompasses the manufacture, distribution and fitting of devices designed to restore and re-establish the functionality and aesthetics of the dentition.

Dental implants are artificial metal roots implanted in the jawbone to replace natural roots. They require a prosthetic abutment, which connects the implant to the dental crown. Different types of implant are possible, such as endosseous, subperiosteal and zygomatic. Dental implant manufacturers mainly serve hospitals and dental clinics. The global market for dental implants is growing steadily, and is expected to continue expanding by 5% a year until 2028 . The French market, also growing, is concentrated around a few major manufacturers who supply the majority of implants to practitioners. A major trend in the sector is the diversification of implant manufacturers into areas such as imaging and orthodontics. This strategy aims to become a preferred partner for dental practices.

At the same time, the market for dental prostheses also aims to restore the functionality and aesthetics of the dentition. Various types of dentures are available, including metal, synthetic resin, ceramic and zirconia. Fixed prostheses are the most common on the market, followed by removable prostheses, but laboratories are increasingly diversifying their activities and expertise. This market involves the laboratories that design the prostheses, the dental practices that are their customers, and the end patients . In France, the dental prostheses market has seen virtually zero growth for several years, with a decline in the number of employees.

French players in these 2 markets face common challenges. The first is international competition, which is at the root of medical tourism. Services can be provided at lower cost in certain European countries, prompting the French to travel outside France to access cheaper services. The development of CAD (Computer-Aided Design ) is also contributing to theindustrialization of prosthesis manufacturing processes, and thus to the internationalization of prosthesis production.

Secondly, the market for dental implants and prostheses is closely linked to healthcare reforms and reimbursement conditions, which strongly influence supply and demand.